They also revealed that attempts to trace four people captured on CCTV in the Broadmead Park area had been successful.

Three of the four potentially vital witnesses have come forward and officers received around 36 calls connected with the appeal. One remaining potential witness, seen walking on Fosse Road, Pontfaen, at 5.59am, has yet to come forward.

Det Supt Geoff Ronayne, who is heading the investigation, said: "Although intensive searches have been carried out over the last few days, we have yet to find Nikitta's mobile phone, a Samsung Tocco SF80.

"We had a very good response from the appeals we made yesterday and three out of four people captured have already come forward. We are grateful to the local community for their response to the media appeals."